Fingerprinting apparatus



Patented Sept. 4, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE FINGERPRINTING APPARATUS Herman J. If)oepner, St. Paul, Minn. Application April 5, 1943, Serial No. 481,877

Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in fingerprinting method and apparatus, wherein it is desired to provide a method for and an apparatus capable of taking a clear fingerprint.

In the past two general methods have been employed in taking fingerprints. The first of these methods includes the inking of the fingers in any conventional manner and placing them individually down upon a suitable card or paper provided for the purpose of receiving the prints. The resulting impression is commonly referred to as a plain fingerprint. The second method commonly employed comprises placing the inked fingers individually upon a card or sheet prepared for the purpose, and rolling each individual finger about its longitudinal axis to obtain a print not only of the finger pad or under side of the finger, but also of a portion of the sides thereof. Such an impression is commonly referred to as a rolled fingerprint.

Advantages may be found for bothv methods of taking fingerprints as above described. The first of these methods is sometimes desired, as perhaps a more correct, true impression results. However', the impression of buta small and inadequate area of the fingers is thus obtained. The second of the above described methods is sometimes preferred because of the greater or adequate area of the finger which is included in the impression. Unless lsuch prints are taken with extreme care, however, blurring and blotching of the prints is likely to result, and often the correct distances between the papillary ridges or the width of the intervening furrows is not exact.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the difficulties now experienced with existing methods of taking fingerprints and to provide a method of, and apparatus for, obtaining impressions which will at all times show the papillary ridges and intervening furrows in their proper relation, and thereby facilitate and assure correct interpretation. f

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that true and undistorted reproductions of the natural fingerprint patterns are received through the use of my method and my apparatus.-

As a result more correct and efficient classification and filing may -be obtained, thereby simplifying the task of searching and more certainly flniing a duplicate print in the fingerprint recor s.

A further object of the present invention lies in the fact that correct collation of two prints suspected or regarded of being alike is assured.

' a portion of this sheet or card which will permit the card to follow the contour of the nger while the fingerprint is being taken. As a result there is no danger of blurring or blotching the impression due to improper rotation of the finger relative to the paper. Furthermore the resilient or flexible means supporting the paper or card upon which the impression is being taken is such as to insure accurate contact between the finger and the card at all times.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a support for a card or sheet upon which a fingerprint or impression is to be made, and to provide this support with yielding portions into which the card or paper sheet may be pressed. These yielding portions are so devised as to hold the card or sheet against the finger as the finger depresses the paper, thereby producing a print of both the under surface of the finger and the beveled or rounded sides thereof without requiring a rotary movement of the finger. As a result of the elimination of the everpresent awkwardness in connection with the rotary movement, a true pattern of the finger is impressed upon the paper and no blurringA of the print is likely to result. Moreover, the alternate light and dark shading as well as occasional solid.

vhold the sheet into contact with the lower sure face and rounded edges of the finger. l

These and other objects and novel features of my invention Will be more clearly and fully set forth in the followingrspecication and claims;

In the drawing forming a part of my specifica-- tion:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of my' fin` ger-print apparatus, showing the construction thereof.

ures 1 and 2 of the drawing, comprises substan-.,.

tially rectangular sub-base Ill having mounted" thereupon a multislotted base II.' "Ihebase II in the particular form of construction illustrated, is of generally rectangular form and includes a pair of spaced slots I 2 and I 3, which are separated by an intermediate partition member I4v formed in the'base II between the slots I2 andl I3. It"v will be noted that the slot I2 is wider than lthe slot I3 for a purpose which will be more clearly pointed out .later in the specification. A larger number of slots of varying widths, similar to the slots I2 and I3, could be formed if it were thought desirable or necessary. I have found, however,

that the two slots shown are ample for ymost p-urposes. yIf desired the construction may .be modiiied by substituting a movable center piece I4, such as` a roller, instead of .the rigid style shown in the drawing.

p Overlying the upper surface of the base I I and extending substantially the full depth of the'slots I2 and I3, I provide an impresser I5. The impresser I5 comprises one or more plies of rubber or other `elastic or resilient material secured across the tops of the slots I2 and I3 in a manner to` cover the same. While a single ply of rubber or other resilient material is capable of accomplishing good results, I have found that better prints will result with less difficulty if two -crmore plies of rubber are used to form the impresser. In my experience I have found that the prints have less tendency to blur When more than a single ply of material is used. f n

Overlying the impresser I5 vI provide a biwinged table I, which is slotted at Il and I9. These slots II and I9 -register with the slots I2 and I3 respectively, so that the impresser `r*I5 is exposed throughout vthe arear of the upper extremity of the slots I2 and I3. The table 1I 6 is held in place by screws 2n or other suitable means which extend through the table 16 impresser I5, and into the base II.

A series of spring clips 2l are secured vto the table I6 adjacent the forward edge thereof. These clips y2I are aligned and form a guide to hold .a card or strip of paper square with respect to the table I6. Thus a card or strip of paper may be placed upon the table "IB to overlie one or both of the slots I2 land I3 in position to receive a ngerprint. The use of such clips is optional yas they are not absolutely necessary.

In taking'a print a strip of paper, eitherv in desired length, or from a roll or a suitable card of paper or similar material 'is laid over the desired slot-y I2 or I3 and held in position by the prongs 21. 'Ihe finger to be impressed is inked in any convention-almanner and is placed vertically over the card in registry with the slot I2 or I3. The finger is firmly depressed into the slot until the back of the finger is more or less substantially level with the table I5. A uniform impression is leftupon the card or strip by pressure of the impresser I5 against the underthe . tween the ridges. I have found that this method retains the ne distinctiveness of the characteristics of the fingerprint pattern and avoids the inequalities and blurring which usually accompany the rotary process of making rolled impressions. The print is true and undistorted and substantially the whole printable area of the 'fingerprint pattern is impressed upon the paper,

thereby making filing and identification much vmore vcomplete'than would otherwise be possible.

, I have fou-ncl that this process of taking lingerprints results in greater legibility of the prints,

Ithe printing of a larger area of the fingerprint pattern, as well as a more faithful reproduction of vthe natural pattern. As 4a result my prints lead to .greater accuracy in classification, filing and finding. I therefore :believe that greater efciency in classication, filing and .nding vvmay be obtained. I have found that -my process is of particular advantage in .a-monodactilar classiiication system, although -by properly positioning the prints or by taking them individually on the bottom margin `of the standard 8" X 8" card, vmy process will voperate with greater efficiency in a decodactilar classicationsystem. When desired, the notches 'I2 and I3 may extend entirely through the base -II to accommodate an impression card of any size. v

It will be noted that the base I I is provided with slots I-2 a-nd I3 vof varying widths. kMy method may be accomplished through the use of `a single slot, such as the slot I2 which is sufciently wide to accommodate'any of the lingers or the thum-bs. I have found, however, that by using a slot which is not greatly'widerthan the finger of which the print is 'being taken, better prints willy result audit is not necessary to depress the impresser I5 to so great an extent as would otherwise .be necessary. In other words,

shown lin Figures 1 and 2 without the use ofa rubber -or elastic impresser plate.l This construction B includes a sub-base 22 having a multislotted base 23^mounted thereupon. A .bi-Winged table 24, similar to the table I6, is secured to the top of the base 23 so. that in outward appearance the .apparatus B vis very lsimilar v.to the appa'- ratus A.

The. base 23 includes a relatively wide slot 25 having a ,somewhat narrower slot 26, similar to the notches I2 yand I3 in the base II The opposite-ends 2 1 and 29 of the base 23 are hollcwed out to enclose resilient members which will be later described. A transversely extending lpivotally mounted roller 3l) is provided in each vend ofthe base A23. YThe rollers 3l] are spacedslightly below the undersurrace of the table 24 vso as to form Aa slot 3| between each roller 30 and the table 24 to accommodate a flexible belt or support 32.

The flexible belt or tape 32 passes through the slots 3| and through a slot 33 between a roller 28 mounted above and forming a part of the central Ipartition 34 and the lower surface of the table 24.

Thus the belt or tape 32 is free to move longitudinally. Springs 35 are secured to each end of the belt 'or tape 32 resiliently connecting the belt ends to anchoring elements 36 which are secured at the lower extremity of the ends 21 and 29 of the base 23. A reinforcing clip 38 may be provided at each end of the belt 32 to strengthen the same. Thus when the belt 32 is depressed by pressure of a nger resting upon the same the springs 35 may stretch, permitting the belt or tape 38 to flex into the slots 25 or 26 in much the same manner as though the belt 32 were formed of elastic or resilient material.

In taking an impression with the apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, a strip or card is laid upon the surface of the table 24 and held in place by clips 31, similar to the clips 2| on the table I6. The finger is inked in any suitabl or convenient manner and is placed upon the paper card or strip, directly above either the slot 25 or the slot 26. Downward pressure of the finger against the card acts to fiex the belt r tape 32 into the slot 25 or 26, the springs 35 drawing the card closely about the bottom of the finger and the rounded sides thereof. The purpose of forming the base 23 with two or more slots such as 25 and 26 of varying width has been explained in connection with the apparatus A. I have found that excellent prints may be taken of the terminal and parts of 'the middle phalanges of the fingers and the crease between them in which the ridges of 'the ngerprint pattern are all illustrated in their true relationship. Thus my prints have the advantage of the rolled impression in area, with the accuracy of a plain impression. In other words, in taking the fingerprint impression the finger is moved vertically as in the case of a plain impression, but at the same time a. greater area of the finger is imprinted as in the case of a rolled fingerprint.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my ngerprint method and apparatus, and while I have endeavored to `set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. Fingerprint apparatus comprising a base having a recess therein, a top having a corresponding recess, a sheet of rubber-like material between the base and the top, and means to hold the impression sheet in overlying relation over said rubber-like sheet, whereby when the finger is pressed downwardly upon said impression sheet the rubber-like sheet deformsto the shape of the finger, thereby producing'r an impression of the end as well as the front of the finger.

2. Fingerprint apparatus comprising a base having a recess therein, a sheet of `rubber-like material overlying the base and the recess, and means engaging marginal edges of the sheet to hold the sheet properly anchored relative to the base, said rubber-like sheet being adapted to support an impression sheet overlying the same, whereby when the finger is pressed downwardly upon said impression sheet, the rubber-like sheet deforms to the shape of the finger thereby producing an impression of the end as well as the front of the finger.,

3. Fingerprint apparatus comprising a base having a recess therein, a sheet of rubber-like material overlying the recess and extending marginally over said base along the sides of the recess, means securing the rubber-like -sheet in position upon the base, said rubber-like sheet being adapted to support an impression sheet in overlying relation to said rubber-like sheet, whereby when the finger is pressed downwardly upon the impression sheet, the rubber-like sheet deforms t0 the shape of the finger, thereby producing an limpression of the end as well as the front of the finger.

4. Fingerprint apparatus comprising a base having a recess therein, a rubber-like sheet overlying said recess and being anchored marginally to said base, and an impression sheet adapted to overlie said rubber-like sheet, whereby when the finger is pressed downwardly upon said impression sheet, the rubber-like sheet deforms to the shape of the finger, thereby producing an impression of the end as well as the front of the finger.

5. A fingerprint apparatus comprising a base having a pair of recesses therein, a top having corresponding recesses, a sheet of rubber-like material be-tween the base and the top, and means to hold an impression sheet in overlying relation over said rubber-like sheet, whereby when the finger is pressed downwardly upon said impression sheet, the rubber-like sheet deforms to the shape of the finger, thereby producing an impression of the end as well as the front of the finger.

' HERMAN J. DOEPNER. 

